Body Contouring After Major Weight Loss

Losing a massive amount of weight in such a short period of time often results in excess or loose and sagging skin. Extreme reduction of weight typically follows weight loss or obesity surgeries, such gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion. Body lifts and body contouring procedures are recommended by physicians to tighten and to help get rid of the excess skin and fat. Generally, these procedures aim to improve appearance of affected body areas and enhance the overall body contour.

Body contouring procedures commonly performed after massive weight loss include tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), lower body lift, thigh lift, arm lift, breast lift and reduction or breast augmentation, and facelift or facial liposuction. These procedures, available at our plastic surgery office near Philadelphia, can be done individually or in combinations once the weight is stabilized and maintained for six months to one year through diet and exercise.

Tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes the excess skin and fat around the abdominal area. It tightens the abdominal skin and muscles as well. It’s a major and extensive procedure, which usually takes two to six hours to complete.

Arm lift, or brachioplasty, tightens the sagging skin in the upper arm. An outpatient procedure, brachioplasty may last for one to two hours.

A thigh lift, or thighplasty, gets rid of the excess skin and fat in the outer or inner areas of the thigh and knees, resulting in better contours of the lower body. A thigh lift may be done with liposuction or as a part of a lower body lift.

A lower body lift, or belt lipectomy, can help tighten the buttocks, hips and thighs by removing the large, prominent skin folds in these areas. This procedure lifts the sagging buttocks and enhances the contours of the body. The patient will be placed on general anesthesia, and the procedure may last for four to six hours. A hospital stay for up to five days may be indicated.

For women, breast lifts shape the sagging breasts without the need for implants. Using an existing skin and fat, fuller breasts are made possible through this procedure. For men, rapid weight reduction may also result in breasts deflated with extra skin and fatty tissues. A breast surgery is indicated to remove the excess skin and reposition the nipple area.

A facial liposuction may be necessary for those that did not lose a significant amount of weight from the facial and neck area. A liposuction procedure can help sculpt the face for a more contoured appearance.